Improvement in metallic shields for the army or navy



fiproiectiles. I

a cylindrical surface-45., concave on one side l andconvex uponthe'other.

ilNITsn STATES PATENT Series.

-WILLIAM r. GOODWIN, OF POWHATAN, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN METALL-Ic saintes FOR THE ARMY be NAVY.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent 'Nm/13,195, dated June 21,1864.

' act description of the same, reference beinghad to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figures l and 2 arevside views of my imA provedshield adapted for army purposes, and showing it in position for useboth as a shield and as a vehicle for the conveyance of baggage orammunition, or for other uses. Figs. 3 and 4 are rear or front viewsofthe same, showing the shield in the two positions indicated in Figs. land 2.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and operation ofshields for army or navy purposes for the protection of men ex'-V posedto the enemys fire, by theemployment, whether as a fixed or movableattachment to ships or to any wheeled or otherwise supported frame, ofmetal plates curved so Aasto present its concave surface outwardly- '21e., facing the enemysubstantially as hereinafter described.

To enable others to make and use my improvement, -I yshall non( proceedto describe `its construction and functions.

A inthe drawings, are plates made'of steel, firnn, or other materialpresenting requisite resistant'e to penetration of ordinary bullets orThese plates are curved to form The shield here shown iscomposed ofplatestwo in number-supported by or hung to apair of wheels,.}3, bymeans of a frame-band, C, the ends of which are formed into axles,uponwhich the wheels are mounted.

E are supporting-legs7L attached to the ends of the supporting-shaft bymeans of a jointed connection, F, so that the said legs may serve toelongate the shaft, thereby to accommodate, incase of necessity, agreater number of persons to draw or push the shields. The shields aresecured to the shafts laterally by means of short braces G andvertically by means of the t rods H, whose adjustable attachment I toand o, upon the shafts allows of the shields occupying either avertical, horizontal, or inclined position in relation to the shafts. l

The shields shown in the annexed drawings may be advantageously used inconnection with abreech-loading cannon. For this purpose the two platesare perforated at their line of junction, the orifice oeing large enoughto allow the barrel that passes through it of being properly directed oraimed. The breechloading mechanism is inthe rear of the platese., on theconvex side of the shield.' At a given height the plates may havevertical or horizontal slot-s or perforations K, through whichsharps'hooters or gunners may lire their rifles. This shield, Whileaffording protection to the meu standing behind it and allowing them toadvance or retreat at pleasure, has the additional 'property ofrendering it eX- ceedingly dangerous for the enemy to fire at it. Theplates are' calculated not only to prevent the balls fronrpenetratingthrough them, but by `reason of their concavity to deviate and repelallballs or projectiles' that may be fired against them.

The shild, when mounted on wheels, and when not used in battle, mayserve the purpose of a baggage-wagon or vehicle to carry the sick orexhausted soldier. For this purfpose the brace-sockets I are loosenedandallowed to: slide along the shafts D until the rods H are parallelwith `0r flat on theirl corresponding shafts, as shownin Figs.2 and 3.Vvhen in this position, the sockets I are again fastenedto the shaft,and the -shield is thus securely' held in a horizontal position, when itmay be' used as a wheeled vehicle for any purpose whatsoever.

The shields shown in vided at the concave side thereof with spikes or.spears M to preventv too near approach of the enemy. I

Having thus described my invention, I'wouldy observe that I do not'limitmyself to the precise construction or arrangement of parts ashereinbefore described, this invention being susceptible of manymodifications Without de parting from its principle,

VVhatI claim isthe drawings .are pros' ner described, the sameconsisting, essentially,

nanos in the empioymont, whether as a fixed or movto this specificationbefore tivo subscribing witable attachment t0 ships o1 to any Wheeednesses.- or otherwise su @portedframe of metal plates T ourved'so as topresent their oonczwe surface Vv M F. GOODVIN' outwardly-i. e., facingthe enemy-si1bstau l Witnesses: tially as herein set forth. i 'I A.POLLAK, u

In testimony Whereoflhave signed myname l EDM. F.` BROWN.

